Woman Sues Construction Company For Allowing Man To Kill Himself By Jumping From Hi-Rise And Landing On Her Car

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A woman is suing a construction company for allowing a man to jump to his death from a hi-rise under construction and land on her vehicle.

The suit was filed Thursday against Turner Construction by Donna Crockett and her husband Jamie Crockett.

The suit’s allegations include negligence, strict liability for an ultra-hazardous activity and loss of consortium between the spouses.

The lawsuit also describes Crockett as witnessing horrific scenes she is unable to shake.

The suit seeks unspecified damages. A representative for Turner Construction could not be immediately reached.

Joseph Sabbatino, 36, died at the scene of the fall, which occurred in the 600 block of South Figueroa Street about 12:35 p.m. March 17.

Sabbatino, an electrician, fell about 50 stories and landed on Crockett’s vehicle. At the time of the accident, the building project’s general contractor said Sabbatino — a Palmdale man — had no reason to be above the structure’s third floor.

The complaint alleges Turner Construction should have been aware of Sabbatino’s unfitness for the job and that the company was negligent by hiring him.

After Sabbatino’s body hit Donna Crockett’s car, she got out and saw “brain and other internal bodily matter splattered across her vehicle and the surrounding scene,” the lawsuit alleges.

The suit says Crockett had never before seen a body and the experience left her “shocked, overwhelmed, panicked, distressed and completely distraught.”

She was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital and remained there for 10 hours receive treatment, including help from a crisis management team, the suit states. She continues to get therapy, according to her complaint.

She has been unable to return to her job at the Macy’s store near where the incident occurred because of her emotional distress, the suit states.

Jamie Crockett has suffered from a loss of the affections he once had with his wife as well as the income she no longer is able to bring home, the suit states.